News.

Human trafficking case delayed

The trial of a businessman accused of human trafficking was delayed Monday before the Home Circuit Court.

Rajesh Gurunani, is accused of recruiting Indian nationals to Jamaica and working them in slave like conditions at his stores in Kingston and St Catherine.

Mr Gurunani, who was charged in March, 2011 during a crack down by the Organised Crime Investigation Division (OCID), has denied the allegations.

The trial was stalled Monday after the prosecution conceded that it was not ready.

Additional documents requested by Mr. Gurunani's defence team were served today.

The matter is now set for February 17 for a new trial date.

Investigators reported that over the past several years, Mr Gurunani recruited persons from his native India, promising them jobs and good money. However, on their arrival in Jamaica, their passports were confiscated by the businessman who allegedly forced them to work long hours---7 days per week.

Prosecutors alleged that the India nationals lived in Mr Gurunani's basement in crammed conditions and were denied a social life by their boss.

The prosecutors further alleged that he would withhold the workers pay which he reportedly wired back to India to their families. They were only allowed one phone call to their families back in India for ten minutes, according to court documents.